A cardiac electrophysiology (EP) study can help you physician pinpoint the location and type of an abnormal heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia) by showing how electrical impulses move through the heart. Your cardiologist may conduct an EP study to:
During an EP study, small, thin wire electrodes are inserted through a vein in your groin or neck. The wire electrodes are threaded into the heart, using a special type of X-ray (fluoroscopy). Once in the heart, electrical signals are sent through the catheter to stimulate your heart tissue to try to trigger abnormal heart rhythm disturbances for evaluation. If the source of the arrhythmia or abnormal heart beat is found, an ablation (elimination of the area of heart tissue causing the abnormality) may be done.
The results of the study may help your doctor determine further therapeutic measures. For example, while an arrhythmia can sometimes be corrected with medication, an arrhythmia caused by an abnormal electrical pathway in the heart, our specialists offer several additional procedures to correct the problem, including implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) and pacemakers.
View more about our team of electrophysiologists. To learn more about Summa Health Cardiac Electrophysiology studies, call for an appointment today.
